Folding bed structure



Dec. 29, 1931. J. BASILE 1,838,292'

FOLDING BED STRUCTURE J. BASILE FOLDING BED STRUCTURE Dec. 29, 1931.

Filed June 16, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOP www,

, Patented Dec. 29, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JOSEPH BASILE, OFNEWVYORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO GREENPOINT METALLC BED CO., INC., OFBROOKLYN, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION. OF NEYV YORK ,romaine BED srnucrrnnn`Application filed .lune 16,

@ ing economically manufactured, strong and durable in service, easy tooperate, and a substantial improvement in the art.

1n its broader aspects, the invention contemplates the provision of astationary supporting frame, and a pair of movable bedspring sectionsadapted to be superimposed for use as a couch or single bed, and to bedisposed side-by-side when opened out to form q a double bed. One of thebed-spring sec- 29 tions may preferably be supported at opposite ends bylevers which are pivoted to the main frame to permit swinging movementof said section, and maintaining it in a. substantially horizontal planeduring such swinging movement, while the other bedspring section may becapablev of vertical movement for positioning inthe same plane as thefirst bed-spring section when the device is opened out as a bed. Morespecifically, the invention comprehends the use of a plurality ofbell-cranks for supporting the second mentioned spring section, saidbell-cranks being connected together for movement in unison, and beingoperated by certain of the levers which support the other bed-springsection. A feature of the invention is the provision of such a devicewherein the two bed-spring sections are normally spaced apart 1 when thedevice is folded in as a couch, and having counterbalancingmechanism ofsuch a character that the spring sections may be sustained in anintermediate `position in the course of its manipulation; YAnotherfeature of the invention is the provision of improved means fortransmitting the weight of the spring sections to the main frame in sucha manner as to prevent collapse of thev device when in use. f i

Other objects, features, and advantages will be apparent from thefollowing descripieee. semi No. 116,289.

tion, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein apreferred embodiment of the invention is shown by way of illustration,and wherein Figure 1 is a side elevation of a couchbed built inaccordance with the present invention, the parts being shown folded infor use as a couch or single bed;

Figure 2 is a vertical transverse sectional view through the device, andshowing the inner side of the mechanism at the opposite end of thecouch;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2,' showing the parts in anintermediate position;

Figure l is an end elevation similar t0 Figure 1 with the parts foldedout to position for use as a double bed;

Figure 5 lis a fragmentary top plan view thereof;

Figure 6 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view on line 6--6 of Fig.4, and

Figure 7 is a similar sectional view on line 7 7 of Fig. 4.

In carrying out the invention, a main frame is provided of any suitablematerial, that shown in the drawings comprising upright corner-posts orlegs 10, formed from steel angle bars, Vconnected together at front andrear by longitudinal connecting members 11, and at the ends bytransverse connecting bars 12. Bed-spring sections 13 and 14 are movablymounted on the main frame in such a manner that they may be selectivelysuperimposed or disposed in lateral juxtaposition, dependent upon use ofthe device as either a couch or as a bed.

The outer bed-spring section 13 comprises transversely extending anglebars l5 at each end and having depending leg members 16 which may, if'desired, be formed integrally therewith.` The angle-bars at oppositeends of the device are connected by longitudinal bars 17 and. 1S andmay, if desired, be equipped with diagonal braces or gussets 19 and 20,best shown in Figures 3 and 5. Any suitable form of bed-spring fabricmay be ap plied to the frame between the angle-bars 15 Vand preferablyeach of the spring sections 13 and 14 are equipped with the same type ofspring fabric. The spring section 13 is mounted for swinginv` movementto a position in 'front of the main frame of the couch, and for thispurpose the angle bars 15 are pivoted, as at 21 and 22, to supportingarms 23 and 24, respectively, the lower ends of which are in turnpivoted at 25 and 26 to the transverse connecting bars 12. The pivotedarm 23 may preferably be formed of a straight metallic bar, while thearm 24 is provided with an offset 27 extending toward the arm 23 andproviding means for firmly supporting the inner edge of the springsection 13 when it is swung to its outer position. It is of course to beunderstood that therarms 23 and 24 are duplicated at the opposite endsof the bed structure and it will be obvious that as force is applied toswinging the spring section 13 relative to the stationary frame it willbe maintained in a substantially horizontal position throughout suchmovement. The proportions of the parts are such that when the springsection 13 reaches the position, as shown in Figure 4,

f wherein the leg member 1G rests upon the Hoor, the pivoted arms 23 and24 coact to limit further movement of said section and to transmit aportion of its weight to the main frame. Such action is obtained by theabutment of the offset portions 27 of arms 24 with the opposing edges ofthe arms 23.

The inner spring section 14 is guided for vertical movement between thecorner posts 10 of the main frame and comprises as a unit end members 28which extend in a transverse direction and are connected by longitudinalbars 29 and 30. T he end members 28 are also preferably formed fromsteel angle bar stock and provided with vertical flanges 31 each ofwhich has a pair of substantially horizontal slots 32 and 33 in whichare operative portions of an eleva-ting mechanism.

The mechanism for elevating the inner spring section 14 may preferablyinclude a pair of bell-cranks 34 and 35 at each end of the structure,said bell-cranks being pivoted at their elbows to the corresponding bars12 of the main frame, as indicated at 36 and 37, respectively. Thebell-crank 34 includes a relatively long arm 38 and a shorter arm 39disposed at an acute angle toeach other and the upper end of the arm 38is provided with a rivet 4G or other suitable connecting pin forengagement within the slot 32. The bellcrank 35 similarly includes along arm 41 and a shorter arm 42 disposed at an obtuse angle relative toeach other and the upper end of the arm 41 having a rivet or othersuitable connection 43 with the slot 33. The outer ends of the arms 39and 42 are connected together by links 44 in such a manner that thebell-cranks move in unison and the end of one'of said arms, for example,arm 39, is connected to the pivoted arm or lever 23 by means of links39a.

iaaeea The normal positions of these parts when the structure is foldedin for use as a couch or single bed are shown in Figures 1 and 2, andthe other extreme position 1s shown in Figure 4. The inner springsection 14 is normally spaced a substantial distance below the springsection 13 in order to provide a convenient storage space for blanketsand other bedding material and the elevating mechanism above describedserves to raise said inner spring section to substantially the sameplane as the outer spring section when in position for use as a doublebed. The bellcranks 34 and 35 are so constructed and arranged that whenthe bed is opened out, as shown in Figure 4, the arms 38 and 41 aredisposed vertically in such a manner that they firmly support the innerspring section 14 and transmit its weight in straight lines downwardlyto the bars 12 of the main frame. In this manner the weight of saidinner spring section does not tend to collapse the operative mechanismand said bellcranks are further held against collapse by theirconnection with the levers 23 supporting the outer spring section 13. Asthe parts are operated the rivets 40 and 43 have a relative slidingmovement in their corresponding slots 32 and 33, and when the springsection 14 reaches its uppermost position, its end ianges 31 are engagedby deflected bearing members 45 on the rear corner-posts 10.

In order to assist in the movement of the parts in either direction,suitable counterbalancing springs are provided. In the specificembodiment illustrated the levers 23 carry substantially rectangularplates 46 which extend outwardly beyond the edges of said levers, andone extending portion of said plate is formed with an aperture 47 forreception of the end of a coiled spring 48, the opposite end of which isconnected to a link 49 pivoted at 50 to the bar 12. rfhe otherprojecting portion of the plate 46 has pivoted to it a link 51 which isadapted for the connection of one end of a coiled spring 52, theopposite end of which is suitably secured to an extension 53 of thefront corner-posts 10. lVhen the device' is folded in for use as acouch, the springs 52 at opposite ends of the structure are undertension exerting their force in such a manner as to assist in theopening movement of the device. At the same time the springs 48 aresubstantially out of action. It will be obvious from this that as theouter spring section 13 is swung outwardly to a position, as shown forexample in Figure 3, theV forces of the springs 48 and 52 becomeneutralized and in such neutral position said outer spring section willbe selfsustained. This feature is advantageous in manipulation-of thebed, since it permits free use of the persons hands for arranging thebedding material `upon the inner spring section '14. As the outwardmovement ofthe spring section 13 is continued, the tension ot thesprings 52 is relieved and thereafter the springs i8 come into use toassist in overcoming the ei'lect of gravity in the linal movements orsaid outer swinging section. Also the springs i8 assist in returningsaid swinging section to normal position as will be obvious.

lt will be evident trom the foregoing that an improved folding bedstructure has been produced which will be exceedingly simple andtherefore economical to manufacture. 'lhe two normally superimposedspring sections may simultaneously move to either open or closedposition with a minimum amount of t and it is to be noted that when thedevice is 'folded out for use as a double bed, the parts will be firmlyheld against accidental collapse. The structure may be used as a samplecouch without embellishments or, it desired, the main supporting trameand associated parts may be embodied in a suitable wood and upholsterytrame, such as known in the art as a davenport. The operation andadvantages of the device are the same in either case.

rlhe invention is, of course, susceptible of numerous modilications inthe details of contruction and arrangements 01"' parts, and the ight isherein reserved to make such changes claims without departing trom thespirit ot the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what l claim, is:

l. A couch-bed structure including a main rame, a pair ot' bed-springsections adapted o be selectively superimposed or disposed in ateraljuxtaposition, levers pivoted to one Und ofthe main frame and supportingthe corresponding end ot one of the bed-spring sections for lateralCfwinging movement, bellcrnnh's pivoted at their elbows to the main andhaving two of their arms supportbed-spring section, said arms beingsubstantially vertically disposed when the bed opened out and beingpermanently connected to said bed-spring section, and connecting meansbetween one of the levers and the other arms or" the bell cranks wherebythe two bed-spring sections may be moved simultaneously, saidbell-cranks and connecting members being located at the same end of themain frame as said levers.

2. A couch bed structure including a main trame, a p ir ot bed-springsections adapted to be selectively superimposed or disposed in latrraljuxtaposition, levers pivoted to one end ot the main frame andsupporting the corresponding end oi one of the bed-spring sections forlateral swinging movement, bellcranks pivoted at their elbows to themain trame and having two of their arms supporting the other bed-springsection, said bell-cranks being connected in pairs at ops tall withinthe scope of the appended posite ends of the bed structure and saidarmsbeing permanently connected to said other bed-spring section andbeing substantially vertically disposed when the bed is opened out, andmeans connecting one of the levers at one end with the other arms ot thebell-cranks at that end whereby the two bedspring sections may be movedsimultaneously, said bell-cranks and connecting members being located'atthe same end of the main trames as said levers.

3. A couch-bed structure including a main frame, a pair of superimposedspring sections, pivoted arms for swinging the outer spring section toa. position in front ot the main frame and for supporting it in suchposition, bell-cranks pivoted to the main trame and having arms engagingwith slots in the inner spring section, said bell-cranks being arrangedin connected pairs at opposite ends of the device, links connecting thebell-cranks with said pivoted arms whereby they may be movedsimultaneously, and springs Yfor assisting in movement of the parts ineach direction.

il. a couch-bed structure including a stationary main frame, a pair ofbed-spring sections adapted to be selectively superimposed or disposedin lateral liuxtaposition, a pair ot levers pivoted to the main trameand supeorting one oft the bed-spring sections tor lateral swingingmovement, a pair of bell-cranks also pivotcd to the main trame andhaving arms for supporting the other bed-spring section, a linkconnecting said bell-cranks tor simultaneous movement, and another linkconnecting one ot the bell-cranks with one ot the swinging' levers,whereby the two bed-spring sections may be moved simultaneously.

5. A couch-bed structure including a stationary main frame, a pair ofbed-spring sections adapted to be selectively superimposed or disposedin lateral juxtaposition, a pair ot levers pivoted to the main frame andsupporting one ot the bed-spring sections for lateral swinging movement,a pair obellcranks also pivoted to the main trame, said bell crankshaving arms for supporting the other bed-spring section, and additionalarms for Y operating` them, the component arms ot' one of thebell-cranks being disposed at an acute angle and those of the otherbell-crank being at an obtuse angle, a link connecting the extremitiesot the second mentioned arms, and another link connecting one ot thesecond mentioned arms with one of the swinging levers, whereby the twobedspring sections may be moved simultaneously.

6. A couch-bed structure including a stationary main trame, a pair ofbed-spring ysections adapted to be selectively superimposed or disposed.in lateral juxtaposition, a pair of levers pivoted to the main frame andsupporting; one of the bed-spring sec# tions for lateral swingingmovement, a pair of bell-cranks also piv-oted to the main frame andhaving arms for supporting the other bed-spring section, a linkconnecting said bell-cranks for simultaneous movement, and another linkconnecting one of the bellcranl-:s with one of the swinging levers,whereby the two bed-spring sections may be moved simultaneously, thebell-cranks being simultaneously movable in opposite di rections andhaving relative sliding connection with the inner bed-spring section.

7 A couch-bed structure including a main frame, superimposed inner andouter spring sections levers pivoted to the main frame for swingingtheouter spring section to a position in iront o the main frame, andelevatingl means for raising the inner spring section to substantiallf,7the same plane as that of the outer spring section, said elevating`means comprising bell-cranks pvoted to the main iframe and having armsconnected to slotted portions of the inner spring` section, a linkconnection between the bellcranks to render the same simultaneouslymovable in opposite directions, and means for operating said link fromone of the swinging levers.

8. A couch-bed structure including` a main frame, superimposed inner andouter spring sections, levers pivoted to the main 'frame for swingingtheouter spring section to a position in front of the main frame, andelevating` means for raising the inner spring section to substantiallythe same plane as that of the outer spring section, .said elevatingmeans comprising bell-cranks pivoted to the main iframe and having armsconnected to slotted portions of the inner spring section, the pivots ofsaid bell-cranks being equidistantly spaced from the front and rearedges of the main frame, a link connection between the bell-cranks torender the same simultaneously movable in opposite directions, and meansfor operating said links from one oi the. swinging levers.

JGSEPH BASILE.

